Specifically long distance cycling v. running. And assuming conditions for both are fairly pleasant, calm...pretty much ideal. Little or no wind. Low humidity. Mild temperatures.
Long distance cycling at an average of 18-21 mph takes me about 2 to 3 hours to even begin to get what resembles a good workout. For me I can find myself 15 miles into a ride and I am moving along at a pace, in a dimension of bliss as I whisk by the pleasantries of the sights. Recognizing that to simply hop upon a bike with the intent of riding 30, 40, 50 or miles requires considerable building up to, as certain parts of the body must acclimate, a long distance ride is generally enjoyable!
Running longer distances for me takes on an entire new meaning of "Be Here Now"! For me the extent of running in high school and college and beyond was to be on the road for 3-6 miles at a pace fast enough to have the cardiovascular to go 6 plus minutes on the mats. Over the past 20 plus years my runs, which have increasingly resembled plodding as the wear and tear of the mats has taken it's toll, have been to put in higher miles. Five miles around 50 minutes can pretty much tax me to the limit. So as I train for my first 1/2 marathon, running for an hour and a half or two hours not only challenges the body, but the mind.
Whereas the increased distances cycling can be challenging, they are fun...enjoyable to me. The increased miles running, well I'm still waiting for that "runner's high" I have read about.
Oh well, if I never experience that. The experience of challenging myself, preparing for this, the miles put in at 4:30 in the morning has been well worth it. Plus, I tend to be somewhat stubborn!
So it is worth it!
Frank,
ReplyDeleteI trained for a half-marathon this winter and when I got on my bike in May, I had the best start to the bike season ever. I pretty much switched to cycling in the spring and summer. When I decided to do another half marathon and started training I found that the cycling did nothing for my running and I had a lot of work to do. I have not gotten a runner's high, although I have had great satisfaction from running a long distance. I love cycling because I get a kick out of the speed and the long distances you can cover. Oddly the thing I think I like about the both of them is the overcoming the inevitable pain.